Latest news with #ArabAmericanHeritageMonth
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
NYC DOT rankles staff in passing on recognizing Arab Heritage month with agency-wide message
Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez didn't recognize April as Arab American Heritage Month with an agency-wide email as he has in the past — an omission rankling some staffers who requested such a message be issued this year to voice solidarity with Muslim employees impacted by the war in Gaza. In April 2024, Rodriguez issued agency-wide message marking Arab American Heritage Month that did address the human toll of the war in Gaza. It urged all DOT employees to 'pause and reflect on the pain being felt by so many in the Arab American community, who have had family and friends impacted by the war in Gaza.' Communications reviewed by the Daily News and a DOT source confirmed staff asked department brass to issue a similar message this year. But Rodriguez issued no such message last month, sources confirmed. The internal tensions at DOT come as the war between Israel and Hamas remains a hot-button issue in New York, with pro-Palestinian protests playing out on city streets nearly every week and the conflict being hotly debated during this year's mayoral campaign. The DOT staffers told The News they were upset by Rodriguez's lack of agency-wide recognition at a time that Israel's war in Gaza — which was launched in response to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack — has left more than 50,000 Palestinians dead, according to estimates. The staffers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were especially irked as Rodriguez did issue an agency-wide email recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month this past Tuesday that made multiple references to President Trump. That message, obtained by The News, lauded Trump for issuing a national proclamation on May 16 that made a commitment to the 'security of Israel.' 'This selective recognition not only undermines the agency's stated commitment to equity and diversity, but also sends a troubling message about which communities are deemed worthy of visibility and respect,' said one Muslim DOT source. 'The repeated use of Trump in the email when he made statements about moving out the Palestinians from their land shows a lack of sensitivity to the Arab and Muslim staff,' the source added, a reference to the president's proposal to expel all Palestinians from Gaza. DOT spokesman Nick Benson declined to speak to the question of why Rodriguez didn't send an agency-wide email marking Arab American Heritage Month this year. He said the department made a post about Arab American Heritage Month on an internal messaging board; that communication made no reference to the war in Gaza. Kayla Mamelak, Mayor Adams' spokeswoman, said his office wasn't involved in crafting the DOT's messaging. With Evan Simko-Bednarski
CBS News
16-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Story time for families honors Arab American Heritage Month at Field Museum
The University of Illinois Chicago is home to the first and only Arab American Cultural Center on a college campus, and staff members were at the Field Museum of Natural History on Wednesday to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with families. When CBS News Chicago visited, youngsters were sitting on the floor for story time. A story has the power to make the floor of a Field Museum exhibition hall feel like the center of the Arab world. Nesreen Hasan usually works with UIC students, but she was the one reading to toddlers on Wednesday. "I work at the Arab American Cultural Center and this month, April, is the month for Arab Americans," Hasan said. Story time with toddlers at the Field Museum is now a three-year tradition during Arab American Heritage Month. Reese Corey, 2, loves reading until she is distracted by a dinosaur — something that has a higher-than-average probability of happening at the Field Museum. But story time — no matter how long it lasts — helps Reese's mom, Anna Shea-Michaels, teach her daughter her own story. "Reese here, her dad is part Lebanese and Syrian, and we don't have very much connection to the family over there," Shea-Michaels said, "so I just love to kind of broaden her world about her culture." As Hasan read to kids Wednesday, she hoped to reach adults too. "For many years, Arab Americans have been facing racism, bigotry, xenophobia — and we feel sometimes a heritage month, or Arab American Heritage Month, can broaden people's horizons," she said. And whether they realize it or not, kids are learning how to listen to stories — and embrace their own. "Even at the youngest of ages, having a narrative about who she is, is really important," Shea-Michaels said of her daughter. At the Field Museum, the Crown Family PlayLab hosts free story time sessions, music and more on most Wednesdays.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Arab American Heritage Month: Celebrate at Dearborn museum with events, free admission
The Arab American National Museum in Dearborn is where history hums through exhibits and stories echo in every corner. More than a museum, it stands as a living archive — a place where the textures of Arab American life are woven into art, memory and movement. This April, as Arab American Heritage Month is recognized nationwide, the country's only museum dedicated to Arab American stories is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the theme "AlBayt Baytak" — Arabic for "This home is your home." "We want to highlight the museum as a home for Arabs living in the United States," said Diana Abouali, the director of the Arab American National Museum (AANM). "This month is an opportunity to pause and to reflect on the history, culture and contributions of Arab Americans, who are an integral part of the makeup of this country, and in particular, Michigan and Southeast Michigan." Located at 13624 Michigan Ave. and open Wednesday through Sunday, the museum is offering several events and free admission to view its temporary exhibits during Arab American Heritage Month. From noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, attendees can explore Arab American food culture on a guided tour of East Dearborn called Yalla Eat!, which means "Let's go eat!" Participants will sample bites and sweets from local grocery stores, restaurants, spice shops and bakeries along Michigan Avenue. The tour has been an ongoing program since 2013. "Guests will meet business owners eager to share the story of their family-run enterprises and savor the sights, sounds and delicious scents at bakeries, nut and coffee houses, and fresh produce markets," according to the museum. "Traditional Arab hospitality is on full display, as generous samples are offered along with the stories of individuals, their families and their history." Tickets can be purchased here at $50 for museum members and $60 for the general public. The museum has hosted Words for Palestine, a monthly online series, since late 2023. The livestream features poets and writers — many of them Palestinian — who use poetry to express the Palestinian struggle. The series is free to watch on YouTube, with the next event scheduled for 7 to 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. An RSVP is optional and can be made here to receive the livestream link. "I think it's important to celebrate our community here in the U.S., but also keep our eyes and our thoughts on the pain and suffering of Palestinians and other counties that are currently going through hardship," Abouali told the Free Press. More: 'Mo' on Netflix breaks stereotypes, resonates with Michigan's Arab and Muslim communities "Zawaya, meaning 'corners' in Arabic, is where edges, lines and sides meet," according to the Arab American National Museum. This event is a book launch highlighting recent works exploring intersectionality and new literary perspectives by Arab American writers. Moderated by the museum's artist-in-residence, Mariam Bazeed, the panel features authors Hadeer Elsbai, Laila Lalami, Tarik Dobbs and Youssef Rakha. Zawaya focuses on celebrating contemporary Arab American literature and fostering discussion among writers and readers, according to the museum. Authors will also be available for book signings. The event, on Saturday, April 26, is free to attend with an RSVP. Details about the writers and their work can be found here. The following exhibits are free to view throughout April as the Arab American National Museum is offering free admission in honor of Arab American Heritage Month. Until July 31, "Seeing the Southend: A Photography Exhibition by Tony Maine" will be in the main floor gallery of the Arab American National Museum. The exhibit showcases what Maine documented while growing up in Dearborn's Southend in the 1970s and 1980s. "Maine's work is both a time machine and a mirror," according to the museum. "It invites us into the rich interior lives of Yemeni and Lebanese Americans at a time when the country was still getting to know who Arab Americans really were." The artist's images offer a rare glimpse into those communities' daily life — from children learning English to auto workers on the line — highlighting a community whose legacy of perseverance and activism still shapes Dearborn today. The interactive display includes QR codes that visitors can scan to submit names of people they recognize in the photos or to share their own images depicting life in Dearborn. Described as a "museum within a museum," "الفلق // al-Falaq" is an octopus-shaped sculpture by artist Alia Ali, designed as a futuristic Yemeni starship reclaiming looted artifacts, according to the Arab American National Museum. Suspended under the museum's dome through Dec. 31, it features 81 digital screens on its tentacles that stretch across the atrium, playing experimental videos exploring Yemeni history, culture and identity. In a time of war and displacement, "al-Falaq" envisions both remembrance and future possibilities for Yemen. Ali was the museum's artist-in-residence in 2021–2022. The "Waiting for Peace" exhibit showcases the work of Palestinian American artist Rajie Cook, who died in 2021 at 90. While he is best known for designing the universal pictographs used in public spaces, Cook spent the last two decades of his life creating sculptural collage boxes that highlight the suffering Palestinians have endured under decades of occupation and their struggle for self-determination. Cook's work serves as a testament to his lifelong advocacy, shaped by his own longing for peace — one he did not live to see. The exhibit will remain on display in the lower-level gallery of the museum until Aug. 15, 2026. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Arab American National Museum is offering members 20% off all items in the gift shop. Guests can find clothing, tote bags, books, accessories and handmade pieces by artists from the Middle East and Arab American artists. Members receive unlimited free museum admission, discounts on programs and events, and access to the museum's library and resource Center. Membership also supports exhibitions and free programs that foster community connections through art and dialogue. More information is available here. More: Michigan celebrates Arab American heritage this month. Here's what to know In a proclamation issued on April 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in Michigan, recognizing the community's contributions to medicine, law, business, education and public service. Whitmer highlighted Arab Americans' strong family values, work ethic and cultural influence while acknowledging the challenges they have faced. "The history of Arab Americans in the U.S. too often has been tainted with misconceptions, bigotry and hatred," according to the proclamation. "Arab American issues, such as civil rights, stereotyping and bullying, must be combated through education and awareness." Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@ Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with events at Dearborn museum
Arab News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Mixture of energy, solemnity during this year's Arab American Heritage Month
Chicago: This year's Arab American Heritage Month is being celebrated in a mixed atmosphere of energetic pride and solemn concern for events overseas, under the theme 'Honoring the past, inspiring the future.' Arab Americans used to celebrate at different times in different states, but the community came together in 2017 to consolidate the heritage month in April. Leaders from around the country said this year's celebrations have a solemn tone because of turmoil in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Warren David, president of the Arab America Foundation, told Arab News: 'We'll honor legendary songstress Umm Kulthum on the 50th anniversary of her passing. We're also partnering with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library for a special workshop on understanding Arabic music.' He said an 'exceptional' performance is being planned at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage in Washington D.C., entitled 'Sounds of the Arab world' and featuring musician Nibal Malshi. However, David acknowledged that Israeli violence 'has dampened the celebration as many Arab Americans are distraught with the current situation — tragic loss of life, no ceasefire, no plan for a Palestinian state. We hope to see a peaceful solution.' He added that while Arab American Heritage Month is officially recognized by 20 US states, AAF is working to secure recognition from the remaining 30. According to the Arab American Institute, there are about 3.5 million Arabs in the US, in all 50 states. Major populations are located in 11 states: California, Michigan, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia. To mark Arab American Heritage Month, AAI is hosting a celebration on April 3 at the Theater Alliance in Washington D.C., featuring playwright Kareem Fahmy and comedian Rola Z. Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a video and statement on X saying: 'Happy Arab American Heritage Month, Michigan. This month, we celebrate Michigan's strong, proud Arab-American community. 'They have, and continue to make, immeasurable contributions to our state's economy, culture and our future. 'Michigan is a stronger, better state because of the diverse groups of people who call it home. This month and all year long, let's celebrate our friends and neighbors in this community.' Several New York legislators, all Democrats, took to X to applaud Arab American Heritage Month. New York City Assembly member Harvey Epstein said: 'Let's celebrate all that Arab-American culture brings to New York.' New York State Sen. Pete Harckham said: 'We acknowledge the amazing contributions of Arab Americans both nationally and here in New York.' The month, he added, is 'a time to celebrate the rich culture, contributions and history of Arab Americans who've enriched our communities and nation. 'From culture and science to activism and business, Arab Americans continue to thrive and inspire.' New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes said: 'This Arab American Heritage Month, I celebrate Arab-American achievements and culture across the arts and sciences, in business and industry, in education and medicine, and in every branch of the military. These contributions enrich our nation and move us toward a brighter future.' In Illinois, Hassan Nijem, president of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, told Arab News that celebrations are being planned with several elected officials including Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, who had her website and services brochures translated into Arabic. The annual Arab American Festival and Miss Arab USA pageant, both in Arizona, are recognized as the largest Arab heritage celebrations nationwide, and attract communities from across the country.
